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University Place
Franklin Co. Tennessee
Oct. 8, 1860
Dearest Eve{? Em?}
I have been expecting a letter from you for 3 days. In the mountains the people begin to roll upwards this way. Bishops & their families, and the clergy {illegible}. Mr. Hawks a brother of the {illegible; Dr.?} among the latter The plot thickens; the rooms assigned to the examination of Plans was completed two or three days ago and the "Art Gallery" founded by attaching them all to the walls. They are 27 in all in every variety of style. The 3 best are beyond a doubt those of my two room {underlined} mates {underlined} and my own -- One is a monastic{?} design by C. F. Anderson the architect of the Capitol Extension who occupies the same
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room with me, and has been so confident of success that he has bought a whole office full of levels and instruments, drawing Boards and plans for dwellings, on the site, {illegible} {illegible; kilns?}, {illegible: quarries?} &c. &c -The other is by C. F.{?} Lee of Charleston and is Roman in style resembling mine in general distribution. I think the contest will probably be between mine and his, as I see nothing in the Plans from New York Boston{?} &c. to be afraid of. In the interim the examining committee are as silent as the grave, and instead of the preliminary investigation which they at first proposed before seeing {both words underlined} the places they now {underlined} seem disposed to await the arrival of their entire number before they go into
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a matter involving such important interests -- in the details of being taken care of &c. &c. we fare sumptuously {or scrumptiously} every day, and you would be surprised at the advantages which large "resources" can cluster together impromptu on the top of a mountain -Well-- I must wait until it is over and take the result as best I may, but my design looks better {both words underlined} to me now {both words underlined} than it did in New Orleans -- still it may fail -- in the meanwhile I am getting very hearty{?}. Mr. Anderson says my parents would hardly know me now {both words underlined}. Yesterday we had two services in the "Art Gallery" -- 4 Bishops & 4 clergy officiating, communion in the morning and meeting of a fine impromptu choir in the evening to practice the "Te Deum."
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which is to be performed at the laying of the corner stone on Wednesday.
I had another very kind letter from Mr. Grinshaw{?} 4 days ago -- he makes some excellent suggestions about the steps & windows of my Plan.
Give {illegible; Jimmy? Tommy?} my usual kisses, just as if I was at home -- and tell him that were it not for the bustle &c. in preparing for an "event" here I should have nothing left to desire if he & you were with me.
Best love to all from
Your affectionate husband,
T. K. Wharton